Bhanwari sex row: Congress in soup, to sack Bishnoi?

Jodhpur, Dec 20: Rajasthan Congress has been experiencing political turmoil since its two crucial party persons - Mahipal Maderna and Malkhan Singh Bishnoi have been accused in the Bhanwari Devi sex scandal and kidnapping case. But now it seems that the party, being desperate to clear its face, may sack Bishnoi who has been arrested on Monday, Dec 19.

According to sources, soon after his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), other Congress party leaders in Rajasthan started demanding Bishnoi's ouster.

Bishnoi, who is a MLA from Luni, was arrested arrested by the CBI in connection with the Bhanwari Devi abduction case.

The CBI also questioned Bishnoi's sons as he (the Congress MLA) was evading questioning, despite repeated summons issued to him.

Malkan Singh appeared at the Circuit House, Jodhpur but remained uncooperative, which led to his arrest, said CBI sources.

Earlier, Amar Chand, husband of Bhanwari Devi in a written statement to the CBI, had disclosed that Malkan Singh fathered their third child.

If Congress drops Bishnoi, he would be the second person to be sacked from Congress following the case. Earlier the party had booted out another minister, Mahipal Maderna, the prime accused in the case.

Bhanwari Devi has been missing since Sept 1, 2011. It has been suspected that Maderna along with Bishnoi and Amarchand abducted and killed Bhanwari as she might have blackmailed them with some CD (which allegedly shows Bhawanwari, Maderna and Bishnoi in a compromising position). However, the body of the missing nurse has not yet been found.